Can Double Slit Experiment Results Differ with Two Separate Light Sources?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Thead
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Double slit Slit
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the potential outcomes of the Double Slit Experiment when utilizing two separate light sources instead of one. It concludes that while interference patterns are typically produced using a single coherent light source, it is indeed possible to achieve interference with two independent sources, as demonstrated in the 1967 experiment by Pfleegor and Mandel. The coherence of the light sources plays a critical role in the formation of the interference pattern, necessitating careful consideration of spatial coherence when designing such experiments.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Young's Double Slit Experiment
  • Knowledge of light coherence and its significance in interference
  • Familiarity with laser technology and its applications
  • Basic principles of photon behavior in quantum mechanics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of light coherence and its measurement techniques
  • Study the Pfleegor and Mandel experiment for insights on independent photon beam interference
  • Explore modern laser technologies and their applications in interference experiments
  • Learn about the mathematical modeling of interference patterns in quantum mechanics
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, optical engineers, and students of quantum mechanics interested in the principles of light interference and experimental physics.

Thead
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
If you were to take Youngs original Double Slit Experiment, with this slight variation, would you get the same results you would usually expect, i.e. an interference pattern?

The variation is as follows: Instead of one source of light, there are two sources of light, positioned next to each other each aimed directly at independent single slits. Between the slits, there is a barrier running all the way down to separate the two sources of light from each other, resulting in; Source A can only travel through Slit A, and Source B can only Travel through Slit B.

A crude diagram of what I'm trying to explain:

0 = Slit
x =Light Source
| = Solid Barrier Between Light Sources
_ = Detector Screen
. = Ignore (Purely for spacing purposes)

__________

-----0|0-----
|...|...|
|...|...|
|...|...|
|...x | x...|
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Interference effects depend upon the coherence of the light; this is usually done by using a single source passed through a pinhole - this improves the spatial coherence of the beam. This improved beam then goes through the double slit.

See http://www.rp-photonics.com/coherence.htmlAnd for some history see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young's_interference_experiment

Of course it is possible to use two independent sources to show interference; this was first done in 1967 using two lasers: Pfleegor and Mandel "Interference of Independent Photon Beams". This experiment is much easier to do today.
 
Thanks for your informative reply, much appreciated.
 
I do not have a good working knowledge of physics yet. I tried to piece this together but after researching this, I couldn’t figure out the correct laws of physics to combine to develop a formula to answer this question. Ex. 1 - A moving object impacts a static object at a constant velocity. Ex. 2 - A moving object impacts a static object at the same velocity but is accelerating at the moment of impact. Assuming the mass of the objects is the same and the velocity at the moment of impact...

Similar threads

  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
14K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
21K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
662
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
2K